The Thankful Challenge Day 2

Day 2

1,  My Dad - He has been another huge help in this very interesting time in my life. He has always been there with knowledge and wisdom and good advice. Love ya Dad.

2. My Siblings - My Brother and Sister are the best. We haven't always got along, we are siblings of course, but there is no doubt we all love each other, help each other and are there for each other no matter what distance lies between us. We are one big, LOUD, crazy family and I wouldn't have it any other way! Love you guys!

3. My Car - which is another shout out to my Mom and Dad. I am thankful to have a nice, semi-new, clean, great on gas mileage car. I love my little mint colored Ford Focus. I will work hard to keep it clean (I do have four kids, so, this is a major battle), nice and running properly, I love my car!!! 

I really like this challenge. It is so easy to forget how much we really have to be grateful and thankful for. I encourage anyone reading this that if you haven't been challenged, don't wait, it really makes you think. It also gives me something positive to focus on. I have good days and bad just like anyone else, but those that know me know I have bad days that just suck, and this allows me to stop and think about what I really love and appreciate. Thanks go to my friend for the challenging. You are next on my list!

Oh, and FYI, I love the Biggest Loser Boot Camp DVD, but man, the second day hurt. I woke up this morning with my leg muscles screaming at me!

Ok, I might be exaggerating a bit with the picture above, but I am ao sore.  However, I still got up and did the workout. I am more sore now, but I know the results will be worth it, more energy, healthier, looking good, and a clearer head! 

  

Best workout video ever!

The Thankful Challenge Day 1

So, I woke up this morning to this challenge from a very good friend of mine, you know who you are!

So, I thought why not share this on my blog. So here are my three things I am thankful for.

1. My kids

They may drive me a bit crazy but there are times when I appreciate the craziness. They are uniquely their own people and I wouldn't want them any other way.

2. My Mom

There have been huge changes in my life lately that I wouldn't have made it through without her. I love you Mom.

3. Having an in house washer and dryer.

Its the little thing, but my last place didn't have hook ups for a washer and dryer. I have 4 kids!! They dirty a lot of clothing, towels, etc! I swear I want to kiss the washer and dryer all the time. Even when its on the fritz I am still thankful for it.

So, In keeping with my exercise journey. I tried to get up this morning for my early, early morning walk. I will be honest, I failed miserably. I couldn't get up, too tired. So, I got up an hour later, got the kids up, got them to school, determined to exercise when I got home using the Biggest Loser Boot Camp DVD. I have used it for years, cause its a great work out you can do right in your own home. It's not just a basic work out dvd either, (I sound like an infomercial) it is a complete workout plan. You do the warm up, first set and cool down for the first week then add work outs as you go. LOVE IT.

Click above to buy it from amazon, you won't be sorry. 

See, sweaty, red and happy!!

I logged into Endomondo just to have a record of it. See...

Woah!

Wow,

I remember  back when I was serious into the blogging crafting thing and I looked at the overview on blogger to see how many people had looked at my blog all the time, practically drooling to see that number. One blog post and I had 152 views since the first post! Yay! Silly I know but hey, I get my thrills where I can lately. ha ha!

So, I found some inspiration today and made some more collage art. I haven't started my new job yet, so until then I am using as much of my time making and blogging.  Oh and spending time with this little booger!

She is dying to go to school like her other siblings. Poor thing doesn't know how much mommy wants the same thing!! 

Any way, So today I made these. I am still finding my voice or personal style when it comes to collage art but I have fun with it even if they turn out to be crap. 

I don't even know if these are any good. Please comment below and let me know what you think, even if you don't like it or think something has too much. I am open to criticism. 

Do your worst people! (or your best, I will gladly accept compliments too!!!)

Oh, and FYI, 

I got up early yesterday morning and walked. I have proof!

So, I did it, but it nearly killed me. I was so tired, I fell asleep in the couch with the above mentioned booger. I am not used to getting up or something, cause drool on my shirt midday is not attractive. HA HA HA! but I started the process and that's all that matters, right? Humor me people!

Here goes Nothing!!

So I haven't been blogging for a while now. Over a year to be more precise. Sooooo much has happened. Some of which I won't go into great detail about but some I will because I have things to be proud of. For starters, I have lost 70 pounds and kept it off for over a year. I still have some to lose but I will be using my blog to keep myself more accountable and get over this plateau. Below is a picture of the tremendous change I have gone through, a before and after picture if you will.

Still want to loose another 20 or 30 pounds but I have kind of been stuck. I am going to hit the diet and exercise thing again to keep going and post what and when I exercise. Thankfully Endomondo has a way to embed data directly on my blog. Thank you Endomondo. If you don't have the app, get it. I love it. It tracks everything. Wish I had the paid version. For those Family and Friends that are reading this, I want the full version of the app for Christmas! Although, I am hopeful that I will just be maintaining again by then. Wishful thinking, I know.  This is what the widget looks like. 

 I have also been doing a lot of collage art lately. Which is very cathartic for me. I made these recently. 

I have decided to get back into crafting as a second job. Right now, everything is helpful. I will be starting my etsy shop back up as well. 

I am also starting a new job at Jersey Village High School! Go Falcons! I worked there years ago when I was pregnant with my second child and had to give it up due to doctor prescribed bed rest. 

I look forward to starting the new job, getting healthy and making beautiful art and crafts I can be proud of. 

Music of the week: Default

I have been listening to Default lately. They are from Canada and believe it or not, they were started by Chad Kroeger of Nickleback, which I thought was a cool tidbit of information. One song in particular has been stuck in my head, which I am not complaining about this time. "It only Hurts" is a great song, the lyrics speak of heart break and how it hurts to even be awake. I can understand that. So, here is a video with lyrics I found. Unfortunately, they didn't make an official video for it but oh well. I included a few more videos of the band. They have some greats!!!

Update: Where the hell have I been?

So, I realized today that I haven't posted anything since November. Life has been hectic and crazy with no sign of reprieve. I actually started to miss ranting and crafting and music posts. I think I might need to go gonzo style with some ranting one day for the therapeutic benefit. I have been so busy with life in general that I kind of became overwhelmed and shut down. I have lost 50 pounds and have kept it off for months, but I haven't been exercising lately and man, can I feel it. I feel broken and weak. There was a full two weeks where every one of my kids were sick, which means the hubby and I got sick too. So that put a damper on things.

When I say shut down, I mean I was literally doing just enough to get by. There comes a point when everything is too much and you don't want to do anything. I think that is what happened with the blog not to mention my life.

So, in honor of trying to get my sh*t together I am posting this in an attempt to coax some encouragement out of my readers. I plan to start back up my music of the day on Fridays. I have found some amazing music lately, but I have been keeping it myself (Bad Girl!) Also, the one thing I have been doing to reading. A lot!!! So, I thought I would start doing some book reviews. FYI, I read paranormal romances, Sci-Fi and contemporary romances (usually involving bad boys, rock stars or bikers, love me some bad boys). I can't wait to tell you some of the great books I have found. I have a few book boyfriends, as I call them, that I want to introduce you too so I am not the only one swooning over imaginary characters! HA! I will get back into craft tutorials when I have time to actually craft something. I will be updating my weight loss journey, with pictures I might add. Because, and I am totally tooting my own horn here, but I have lost 50 pounds and I think I look pretty hot, for a big girl anyway.

Once again, I am pulling for encouragement people!!! Pathetic I know, but I don't' really have any cheerleaders around me so I will beg if I have to!!!!

Watch for Friday when I showcase Default! Started listening to some of their older stuff and found some amazing music that has been stuck in my head for weeks, which oddly enough, is not a complaint!!! See you then.

Friday's music of the week: Young Guns

So, I have recently been on hiatus from my blog. I have been going through some personal stuff and I realized I needed to let myself breathe and get my head straight. Story of my life. But even when I am in a funk, my music is always there for me and I need it like I need air some days. So, in the spirit of this, I found new music that I want to share. I recently heard the song "Bones" by Young Guns and immediately fell in love. The band is from the UK, been around since 2009, but I have only recently heard them. I like them, the lyrics are beautifully written and the fact that they are major British eye candy doesn't hurt. Here are a few videos, one of "Bones" and "Stitches." Enjoy!